militants more effectively and to stop elements of pakistan's military from backing the taliban in afghanistan. all of this, one more sign of the growing tensions between the u.s. a a pakistan. >>> as all of this debate over spending plays out in washington, in towns across this country, millions of americans just want to find a job. tonight, another stunning number behind the new and rising unemployment figures. it now takes an average of ten months to find a job, the longest ever. millions of americans now have only food stamps to get by, and those benefits kick in once a month at midnight. and it's created a new shopper in this country. the families heading out in darkness to get their food. here's abc's steve osunsami. >> looks like it's ready. >> reporter: we spent more than a month following leslie benson and her family. she was laid off from her job as a corporate health care administrator two years ago. her unemployment has run out. and the state gives her just $97 in food stamps each month to feed her family of three. >> we live for t tt last day of the month so we can restock and rep